Three IMU Pharmaceutical Chemistry students completed an internship at the School of Ethnomedicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CDUTCM), from November 2025 to January 2026.

Programme:

• IMU Pharmaceutical Chemistry Internship

Host Institution:

Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CDUTCM), China

Participants:  

Three IMU Pharmaceutical Chemistry students

Duration:

November 2025 – January 2026

Location:

School of Ethnomedicine, CDUTCM

Departments Involved

• Pharmacology and Toxicology of Ethnic Medicine
• Ethnic Medicine Quality Evaluation

From November 2025 to January 2026, three of us from the IMU Pharmaceutical Chemistry programme had the opportunity to intern at the School of Ethnomedicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CDUTCM), where we gained invaluable experience in both laboratory research and cultural experiences. We were placed in two different departments:

• Pharmacology and Toxicology of Ethnic Medicine
• Ethnic Medicine Quality Evaluation

Lee Kai Xuan

Eileen Ting Ik Leen

Wong Joey

Lee Kai Xuan & Eileen Ting Ik Leen

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Ethnic Medicine

In the Pharmacology and Toxicology Lab, we worked on studies investigating:

• The mechanisms of Tibetan medicines using animal models
• The analysis of Tibetan medicine formulations using HPLC‑QqQ‑MS.

These projects provided hands‑on training in animal model establishment, chromatographic analysis, and method validation which enhanced our skills in experimental workflows and provided us interesting experience in handling animals.

We also assisted in translating Malay‑language medicinal plant encyclopedias, helping to connect knowledge across cultures.

Wong Joey

Department of Ethnic Medicine Quality Evaluation

During my internship at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CDUTCM), my tasks focused on the chemical analysis and quality evaluation of traditional medicinal herbs, particularly Tibetan medicines.

I was guided in the use of Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), including the basic operation of the instrument and elution peak separation techniques.

In addition, I learnt how to interpret Mass Spectrometric (MS) spectra, including the identification of

• Base peaks
• Adduct ions
• Fragment ions

This internship was truly a fruitful experience that further enhanced my interest in pharmaceutical analysis and research-related work.

Beyond research, cultural immersion was equally enriching.

We visited the Si Chuan Rongfu Museum of Classical Tibetan Texts and the HeHuaChi Herbal Medicine Market which offered valuable insights into manuscript preservation and the global trade of medicinal plants.

Apart from these cultural experiences, we also had the chance to explore Chengdu and DuJiangYan through visits to several well-known tourist attractions. These visits allowed us to appreciate the rich history, traditional architecture, admire the beautiful scenery, and create unforgettable memories together throughout the internship journey.

A highlight was our visit to the Panda Valley, where we observed China’s iconic giant pandas and red pandas in their conservation habitats and their biodiversity protection.

Internship serves as the bridging gap between university studies and the professional working world. Throughout our internship, we acquired a wide range of experiences that not only strengthened our technical knowledge and practical skills, but also enhanced our soft skills, which are equally essential as we begin our professional journey.

We are sincerely grateful and thankful to both IMU University and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for providing us with this invaluable opportunity to immerse ourselves in Traditional Chinese Medicine research, while also experiencing the rich culture and the beauty of Chengdu!